This is my 15th beer from Left Hand brewing, and the first one was one of my very first (and worst written) reviews back in 2013 (I only had one review done in 2012, but I still consider that the inception year for this blog). The fact is, I had been writing down what I thought about these beers for a little while before then, but it took me a bit to decide to formalize it. The estimate from the algorithm is that it will take less than a minute to read that first review, and that might be an overestimate. My process wasn't nearly as robust as it is now, and I wonder what beers like the Sawtooth Ale and Stranger APA would get as a result of my more established process.
The very clear beer is a copper color that doesn't produce a ton of head, but it certainly produces enough. That head is not going to be particularly sticky or leave any lacing, but it does leave a doily of tiny bubbles across the top of the beer. The aroma is biscuit malt and light spices. I think I've already mentioned that these Oktoberfest beers have never been my favorite, but I have certainly learned to appreciate them.First sip is incredibly straightforward. This beer doesn't have a whole lot of complexity to it, and it doesn't need it. The biscuit malt is solid, and the hops are bringing dazzling spices with them to a beer that can certainly stand up to a schnitzel or two. There is a sweetness inside the beer that tastes almost like molasses has been added, and this doesn't seem to be increasing the complexity, but it does augment the heft of the beer. The beer feels solid, and I'm probably going to enjoy the rest of this review.
Tip-in is biscuit malt with light spices and no carbonation to speak of. The middle rolls with carbonation finally entering the picture at the roof of the mouth while spices rise up to a crescendo and are met with sweet molasses to keep them tame. The finish is a clean snap of spices and biscuits coming to attention before leaving toasted biscuits for the trail off.
Bottom Line: PROST!
4.0/5